Kerala has a very distinct and rich culture to be proud of. The grandeur of the land and its people is visible in its colourful and mosaic celebrations, evolution of performing arts, famed and revered literature, music, painting, cuisine and so on. What we see of Kerala today is an amalgamation of the various kinds of influences this land has been subjected to. The original inhabitants of Kerala were the Dravidians. Some aspects of the rich culture of Kerala have been dealt with extensively in the 'Experience Kerala' section of this website. Pointers to those articles are given below. This article will try to expose you to other quintessential elements of the Keralite's daily life.
Coconut – the Tree of Life
Kerala means 'Land of Coconuts' and is also one of the leading producers of coconut in the world. Not only is the tree ubiquitous in Kerala swaying along the coast, the tree has a great impact on the lifestyle of the people here. Almost every part of this tree is used for various things like food, fuel, shelter and making handicrafts. The coconut tree means everything to the Keralite. In the food department, tender coconut water is our own state soft drink and the soft flesh at this time is mixed with jaggery to make a delicious snack. The mature fruit is grated and used to garnish almost every Keralite dish or it is used to make coconut oil which a prime ingredient in the kerala cuisine. Toddy our own alcoholic drink is made from the sap of the flower before it blooms. Coir which is the husk of the coconut is used in many interesting ways. The strong fibre is used for mats, baskets, rugs and carpets and so on. The outer shell of the coconut is carved and shaped into numerous attractive traditional handicraft products like pots and necklaces. The wood of the coconut tree is used extensively for furniture and window panels. The coconut leaves are used for thatching houses and dried leaves are used as fuel. As it can be seen evidently the coconut tree and its products are an unavoidable part of the Kerala culture. Almost every part of the tree is used for some purpose or the other. No wonder why Kerala is called the 'Land of Coconuts.'
Tusker Mania
Keralites are simply fascinated by the beauty of the elephant and the tuskers have for long been part of the cultural ethos of the land. Elephants are a symbol of royalty and prestige besides being considered a harbinger of good fortune. Not a single important temple festival in Kerala passes by without an array of tuskers on display. The deities in temples are carried around only on an elephant. The Guruvayoor Keshavan who was the favourite of Guruvayoorappan has a statue erected in his memory. The tusks of legendary elephants are kept in memory after their death. There are elephant enthusiastic painters in kerala who paint only tuskers. Picture that! The elephants of kerala can be seen in Punnathur Kotta near the Guruvayoor temple or the Kodanad elephant training camp.
Snake Worship
The tradition of worshiping the snakes goes way back in history however Kerala is the only part in the world where his tradition continues in full vigour. The southwest corner of every Keralite house is called the Sarpa kavu (meaning snake corner) where the snake gods are propitiated. It is believe the snake gods protect the house and saves the inmates from nasty diseases. Lighting the lamp at the Sarpa kavu is a daily ritual in traditional kerala homes. There are also shrines which worship snake gods in Kerala. The famous trio are Mannarshala in Haripad, Ameda near Ernakulam and Pambinmekkad in Irinjalakuda. It is believed that even if people leave the house they were staying, the spirit of the snake remains.
Performing Arts
The story and culture of Kerala is best portrayed by the evolution of its art. The performing arts of Kathakali, Mohiniattam and Theyyam, musical extravaganzas like Panchavadyam and martial art forms like Kalaripayattu reveal the times of the people that once lived Kerala. Art that once was only a part of the temples and palaces is now emerged into the public space. Today this art is packaged as cultural products so that the cultural mosaic is saved from the danger of being lost forever. More
Cuisine
Honest, unpretentious food has a dimension that is difficult to match and it is this remarkable simplicity, taste and range that has helped Kerala’s cuisine to create an identity of its own. The range that one sees today in Kerala food has been influenced by historical, cultural, geographical and social conditioning and especially its association with foreign lands. In very few places in the world will you find such incredible variety for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine in equal vigour. More
Celebrations
Kerala is the homeland of some of the most colourful and mosaic festivals in the world which transcend all regional and religious profiles. The trait that stands out through different ceremonies and rituals is the thread of harmony and oneness. Traditional practices live on with the same spirit to maintain the ethos of its people which is as distinct as the place itself. Celebrations here are not about the individual, it is about the land and the people and the society he/she is part of. More
As a tailpiece is can be said that the culture of kerala is a shows the resourcefulness of the people, association with nature and success of its people through the years in carving out their own identity while being open and receptive to the plethora of influences the land has been subjected to. Don't miss an opportunity to get this rich experience.
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